Relay bearing structure



Jan. 27, 1948. o. s. FIELD I RELAY BEARING STRUCTURE Original Filed Oct. 14, 1 940 Patented Jan. 27, 1948 2,435,000 RELAY BEARING STRUCTURE 7 Oscar S. Field, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to General Railway Signal Company, Rochester,

Original application October 14, 1940, Serial No. 361,060. Divided and this application August 7, 1944, Serial No. 548,354

This invention relates to electromagnetic operating means, and more particularly to improved pivoting means for the armatures of electromagnetic relays, and like devices.

This application is a division of my prior application Ser. No. 361,060, filed October 14, 1940, now Patent No. 2,376,534, granted May 22, 1945 and entitled Light signals for railroads; and the invention of this application is to be considered in the nature of an improvement over the disclosure of my prior Patent No. 2,360,664, dated October 17, 1944.

In a light signal of the searchlight type as disclosed in the above mentioned parent application, two electromagnetic operating means are provided for operating a movable spectacle to its different positions as well as operating associated contacts to front and back point positions. The armature of each of such electromagnetic operating means is of the tractive type, that is, such armature is pivoted at one end and so associated with he electromagnetic structure as to bepivotally op:rated between a biased released position and an actuated position. Similarly, various neutral and polarized relays employ armatures of the tractive type, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved pivoting means for such armatures which will not only be subs antially frictionless but which will also show practically no Wear although operated over long periods of time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pivoting means for an armature of an electromagnet which adjustably associates the armature with the pole faces of its 9 Claims. (Cl. 175-345) electro-magnet in such a way that the normal released air gap may be readily adjusted to obtain the desired operating characteristics.

A further object of the present invention is to provide pivoting means which is readily removable for inspection and readily adjustable upon the restoration of the parts in reassembly, or upon the replacement of parts in the event that such replacement might become necessary over a relatively long period of time.

Further objects, purposes and characteristic features of this invention will appear as the description progresses, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, showing in a wholly diagrammatic manner, and in no way whatsoever in a limiting sense one form of the present invention. In the drawings:

Fig, 1 is a sectional View of a light signal spectacle operating mechanism as disclosed in the above mentioned parent application with certain 2 parts removed so as to show the pivot bearing means for the armature constituting one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of one of the electromagnets showing its armature provided with a pivot bearing constituting the embodiment of the present invention, such section being taken 1 on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the ar- Fig, 4 is an enlarged sectional View of the pivot bearing of the present invention as taken on line 4-4 looking in the Fig. 3. a v

Fig.- 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on lines 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention has been disclosed as embodied in a light signal operating mechanism, and in general such mechanism constitutes an outer casing which is constructed to receive the operating mechanism case to thereby provide a proper housing for the mechani'm case and to make it possible to replace the mechanism case with a substitute case, if necessary, and yet hav the signal properly aligned and focused for its particular signal location. The complete structure of such a signal has not been disclosed herein, since it is believed that the present invention may be understood without a detailed description of such a complete signal structure.

' It is believed to be sufficient for the purposes of this description to point out that the signal mechanism includes the operating mechanism case MC shown in Fig. 1 which has a groove 24 on each side to serve as a guide for entering and supporting the direction of the arrows in mechanism in the outer casing of the signal.

which it is operated to its several positions by a suitable operating mechanism connecting it with the armature assemblies Ga and Ya.

. ihej rockable axle for the movable spectacle arm 68 may also have a bearing of the type disclosed herein for the armature assemblies Ya and Gm-but such structure has not been shown herein for the sake of simplicity in the disclosure, such a 3 structure having been disclosed in detail in the above mentioned parent application Ser. No. 361,060, now Patent No. 2,376,534.

A shelf member I5 is connected to the mechanism casing MC by suitable screws and acts as a support both forthe axle of the movable spectacle 68 and for the two operating eleetroma gnets. The two electromagnets are provided with coils 90 and 9|, placed side by side and extending from the rear to the front of the mechanism casing. Since these two electromagnets of the signal are identical so far as the mountings $9. their arma-v tures are concerned, onlyone oi" them"will be described in detail.

Referring to Fig. 2, it can be seen that a core 92 carries a winding 9|, andispositioned-above the shelf member I5 by being'mounted' to" the ex.- tending legs 93 and 94 of the magnetic structure of the electromagnet, which legs 93 and 84 carry pole shoes 95 and 96 respectively with an air gap e w e th r in en s- Thes po e, s oe are su a y hed to t sh f memb r' i a thus serve as support for the extending legs93 and 9.4 and the interconnecting core member 92.

The pole shoes 95 and 98 have the armature assembly Ga associated therewith; and this armature assembly Ga includes the flat plate-like armature 98 Whichis pivotally Supported t t e right-hand end and rests against the back stop screw 99 at its left-hand end. Attached tothe ure 98 is e r s due 'p n Blis e m i tain n a m m m air sea he th rma ure is. in an a t a te posit onv efi t i b es ruetur is al co e ed o, h r atu e it-a iml et di for transmitting the armature assembly mcvement to cause the operation of the movable spectacle arm 68. v

The PivQ ea i at t e h -hand d o t m re 98 ha e n sho n. in the enlarged iew f gs 3 and and this ivot d beari a t t allow e f e mo em n o the rmature asem ly t ee t e ack stop screw 99 and. its attracted position as limited by the residual pins .91. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the armatureassembly is assumed to be biased to its released pesition by the action of gravity, but it is to be understood that the armature can be otherwise biased by suitably resilient means.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that a stud bolt I=passes through ahole in a clamp plate IOI and an enlarged slot I02 of'aU-shaped'fiat support member I03. This slot I02 inv support member I03 can best'be seen in Figs. 1 and 3; and these slots-one for'each of the studbolts I00, permit the U-shaped support member I03 to be moved vertically for adjustment of the armature as will presently be described in detail.

The U-shaped support member I03 has two extending legs I04a' and I04b which pass through two spaced slots or rectangular holes I01 near the rear edge of the armature 98. The'armature 98 is also provided with a Vr-shaped slot I00 in the top surface of the-armature'andalong its rear edge in line with the two spaced rectangular slots I01, as best seen in the fragmentary view '0: i 5.

In assembling the armature on its pivot bearing, an upper bearing plate I05 having slotted ends IDS, is first passed between the two legs Ma and M42) and against the cross portion of the support member I03. Assuming that the support member I03 is held imposition by a rough adjustment, then the armature 98 is moved into position with "the legs I'04a and I04b passing through their respective'siots I01. A- cylindrical idewn ard y aseinst t sp in tension.

:spective spring by shoulders I I2 of the head of a 'u-shaped clip 4 fastened at its lower end by atom I I3.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that E thelow'er" face oithe armature is provided with recesses beneath each slot I01 for the respective legs I04a and I041), which recesses provide holdfl l f mans for the upper ends of their respective spring members IIO. Each U-shaped clip member II4extends upwardly so that its legs terminate 'iustshort of the lower face of such recess, and thus provide a limit against which the armature can abut to prevent its being pulled This l m ed-di tan e of movement r the armature 98 is not sufficient to allow the removal of the needle bearing I08 enter? its V-shaped notch in the upper face of the armature. 'In other words, the clips [I4 must be removed if the bearing rod I00 is to be"lifted-out-- of its V-shaped notch or rq in t ei rmature.

Referr ingto Fig. 3, it will be seen that the legs l04gz and I04bof the supp0rt member I03 provide a stop against which the endwise motion of the needle bearinglflfids limited, since the slots through which the respective legs pass are in line with the V-shaped slot containing the needle heali '(see Fig. 5)

With the pivot bearing thus assembled, the armature ,SB'can then be brought into proper positions; that is, the air gap at the right-hand end of the armatureas seen in Fig. 2 may be made larger or smaller to obtain the desired operating characteristics. All that is necessary to obtain theadiustment is'toloosen the stud bolts I00 and move-the support member I03 to the desired position; and then tighten the bolts I00 to hold the bearing in such adjusted position.

'Ii3' should be noted that the U -shaped member I03'andthe clip members II4 are preferably formed of some suitable non-magnetic material although this is not'entirely necessary to obtain the proper operation of the electromagnetic structure, but facilitates in maintaining a minimum amount of leakage of the magnetic flux of the structure. The upper bearing surface member I051is preferably formed of some hardened material which is very durable and which has a verysmooth'surface against which the needle member I08'may'bear. The needle bearing memher I 08 is also'preferably formed of some suitably hardened material, which will be very durable, and which will provide a minimum of wear with respect to the bearing member I 05.

As viewed'in' Fig. 4, it will be seen that the needle bearing member I00 hasa diameter of such a value with respect to the depth of the V slot inthe armature, that the upper surface of the needle member I extends a slight distance above the surface of the armature. This distance need be relatively small, since the movementof the armature is relatively slight when considered in the number of degrees moved on its pivot point. It can also be seen that the diameter ofthe needle member I08 may be selected to cooperate with the V slot, and yet any desired air gap between the armature and the hnd' adiustmmtoithe-snpportmmbeeI.

since hearth: "member contactsthe V slot 'two surface. lines, only contacts the member leli on one r'surface line, movement of; the "armature cause a motion of the needle. bearing member at: the uppersbeating surface. 105,32: this way -a minimumdamonnt isumfw duoed. organization-lot hearingmeansdurnishes a very sim'ple and; omen "is practically trictionless, and which has an ivo y long, life :aithoughgsuhjected "to severe conditions,

The operation of mm I armature withca. 'hearingx constmctedi with: the present :invention, :is. war nml reiiahie. it willrbel neadtlysanpzrent 'th j th'e :onrgiza'ition of' Windihgifl 1 5g. 2

produce of :a magnetie fiflux; in 1cm.

cuit. ofthe structure, which won of force in the air gap hetween' the'poie shoes: and the armature; whichilines omome tend-tarot.- tract' the armature i'away'lnom Tithe io'ack stop screw- 39 toward the shoes :Siand "li imizcn der to reduce the reluctance ot the :enedit in; the nsual way lior tractiveitype :relays. The, movement of the armature s! toward the pole-shoes 85 and- 96 13 limited by the ilQSill-tih! pins 195! and' the hearing adjustment *aztf thetig hv end. It may be desirable "fto vary theoair gap of i'thearmature' so' as toobtatnfithe desired operstingwai-ues. mhis maylbe donefin ther of two ways-11mmely, :hytneadtnstment anthem-ex stop-screw 93, *or b changingthesdius'nnent or the apes-ring imembe'r. Changing z-the iback stop memos, 'zof' eourse cha'nges the amplitude orthe movement of :the armature; while lthe chang'ing of f-thefairl gap by. the a'dlustment'nf the hearing, does fnot materially anectthe amplitude or; the mmature movement.- Withthese two ndjostments, the'ext'ent orthe armature mcvement and its operating characteristics "may bereads ilyfiadius'ted 'tc suitlthe resonances-or practice;

:Having thus shown one form :6! I a, 'bea-ring dor tra:ct'ive type armstnres' anii'the like, as cne 'speembodiments! itne 'present' mvemion, itis'to "be nnde'rsto'odthat such embodiment is shown solel ibs! may or example and is not intended'insny menner whatsoeverin a 'limlti'ng sense. flt, is to "he understood that various "modifications; adaptations and ilter-alarms can he applied to; the embodiment tithe-present inventionto'meet. the, reqiiirements 'of- "practice "without on-any manner departinglfrom the -spirit or 'scope -offthe invention Iexcept as limited 'by theclaims. H

Having thus-described my invention I now claim: I

1. In an eleotromagnetiorlay structure, an annaturaazpivot means iorthezarmatnreyincind ing, an open transverse groovefzimthe npperkfa'ce of the armaturaa needle-like-besring resting loosely in "the "groove andprojectin'g -above the surfacerofthe armature, a'hole extendingithrough thearmatnm at each end groove, "a 3B;- shspeds hoider having its iegs e'xtendingdomrword through the-holes, an .nppen ibearing plate slidable on the. legs and positioned between the needle bearing and the head of the U, a spring stop at the free end of each leg, a compression spring on each leg between the stop and the lower face of the armature, armature operating means, and means adjustably mounting the U-shaped holder on the operating means.

'6 111a; fleetmmagneticrela structure,

, m pivot meansior the armature. in o en transverse. groove in the upp r hoe n! the mmature, a. needle-like "hearing. loosely inthe grooveand proj eating above simian: od :the armature, :a, ,hole extending armature; near each end of the groove. l. U-ishaped holder having its legs 46X- tendin'g downward through the holes, an upper b -r wznlatecslidahle on the legs andjpnsixfihetwieen theneedle bearing and the. head n uyu, spring :stop at the end of each leg, as.

spring :on each leg and hearin against the stop and the lower face of the ar matura an'aznnature operating means, andmeans zndiiustahly iihdldinz' the lU-shaped holder to :the operating means, the legs of the U-shaped :hoider bei mpositionedon the axis of the. needle "bettingi'toprcvent the needle from sliding :out of the lower face of" the armature, "means adjusta'B)y 1%holdmgithe u shaped"holder to a "fixed supvirwor t, an'c'i'ia stop ann-on each spring stop ex tending toward 'the armature and terminating "short or the armature, whereby to prevent h'idViIIgI-tllQhIl'Ii'dtiI-ile against the spring tension far enough toallow the needle bearing to be removed-homfitsgroove 'by sidew-ise movement.

In anelectromagnetic relay structure, an armature, :a pivot :means 'for the armature, ineluding an open "V-shaped "groove in the upper face or athe armature, a needle-like bearing loosely resting in the groove and projecting :sbove the surface ofthe armature, a hole extending through the armature near each end of the groove, :a-U-shaped holder having its legs -extendingdownward throughthe holes, an uppenhearing'plate, notches in the bearing plate ionslidmg the plate upon and "between the legs "fo te-positioned between "the top of theneedl'e "beafing andtheheadofthe U, a spring, stop at;

tl ief'errd ofea'ch leg, a compression spring on ea'chdegbetweenthe stop "and the lower "face nit-the "armature, asupport means adjustably holding the tl shaped holder to the support, the -*shaped holder being positioned on "the axis of the needle to prevent the needle irom s'lidingont-oi' its groove by en'dwise movemerit-sande stop arm oneach' spring'stopextending toward the armature and terminating near -=enou'g'hto "the "armature to prevent movement-of the'ama'ture onthe legs and against the spring stimcl'ent to allow the "needle bearing .t'o'-be removedfromits groove by lateral'mova ment.

5. In a needle type bearing for plvotally mounting a movable flat-like member with respect to a fixed support, an elongated groove in one surface of said movable member, a plane hardened surface bearing member adjustably mounted to said support, a cylindrical rod bearing loosely received in said groove and having a-diameter such that its outer surface projects above the surface of said movable member, two legs projecting from said adjustably mounted bearing member and respectively passing through a hole at each end of said groove to limit th lateral movement of said movable member and to provide an abutmentat each end of the groove for the full diameter of said cylindrical rod to prevent more than limited endwise movement of said cylindrical rod,and

spring biasing means mounted on each of said: leg members to cause said movable member to press said cylindrical rod against said bearing member.

6. In an electromagnetic relay structure, an

electromagnet having extending pole faces, a flat face outside of the surface of said armature,

means limiting endwise movement of said rod, and spring means acting adjacent each endof said groove and in line therewith for pressing said armature toward said support member to provide for a rocking motion of the armature-with means adjustably mounting said support member with respect to the electromagnet, a bearing between said armature and the support member respect to said pole faces by a rolling contact of said rod on the hardened plane surface of said support member, whereby said armature can have the air gap between it and said pole faces adjustably determined without materially changing the extent of armature movement.

7. In a needle type bearing for pivotally mounting a movable flat-like member with respect to a fixed support, a V-shaped elongated groove in one surface of said movable member, a hardened plane bearing surface member adjustably mounted to said support, a hardened cylindrical rod loosely received in said groove and having a diameter sufiicient to bring its surface outside of the surface of said movable member, two legs projecting from said adjustably mounted bearing and passing through holes at each end of said groove to thereby provide only limited amount of lateral movement of said movable member and at the same time to prevent endwise movement of said cylindrical rod, spring biasing means on each leg member for acting'when compressed to cause said movable member to press said cylindrical rod against said bearing surface member, and a removable stop means mounted on each leg for compressing its respective spring means and also acting to prevent movement'of said movable member longitudinally of said leg members against the compression of said springs, whereby said cylindrical rod bearingcan be removed only upon the demounting of said rem0vable stop means.

8. In an electromagnetic relay structure, a flat plane-like armature adapted to cooperate with the electromagnet of the relay structure, a support member having two extending leg portions,

comprising, a hardened plane surface bearing member held between the legs of said support member, an elongated groove in the armature on that side facing said support member, a hardened cylindrical rod loosely located in said groove and having a diameter such that its surface is raised above the surface of said armature, said armature having two receiving holes at the ends of said" groove and in line therewith and mounted-on said support member with said ex tending legs passing through said holes to thereby prevent endwise movement of said cylindrical rodand to also allow only a limited lateral movement of said armature, compression pring means on each of said extending legs for causing said armature to press the surface of said rod against said bearing member, and a removable stop means mounted on each leg for limiting the movement of said armature longitudinally of said legs against the compression of said springs to thereby prevent the displacement of said cylindrical rod out of said groove without first demounting said removable stop means.

9. In an electromagnetic relay structure, a flat armature-adapted to cooperate with the electromagnet of the. relay structure, a flat-like support member having two extending leg portions, means adjustably' mounting said support membeer with respect to the electromagnet, a bearing between said armature and the support member comprising, a hardened flat-like bearing member slotted at each end so as to fit between the legs ofsaid support member'with said legs being received by said slots, a V-shaped groove extending across the armature on that side facing said support member, two receiving hole insaid armature near the ends of said groove and in line therewith so that said armatur can be mounted on said support member with said extending legs passing through-said holes, a hardened cylindrical rod loosely located in said groove between said holes and having a diameter such that its surface is raised above the surface of said armature, whereby endwise movement of said cylindrical rod is prevented by said extending legs, compressionspring means on each of said extending legs for causing said armature to press the surface of said rod against said bearing member. and a removable stop means mounted on each leg for limiting the movement of said armature longitudinally of said legs against the compression of said springs to thereby prevent the displacement of said cylindrical rod out of said groove.

i OSCAR S. FIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are file of this patent:

NITED STATES PATENTS of record in the 

